If your dog gets lost, it is very unlikely that you will see him again unless he has proper identification. Tags can come off, so the best option is a microchip. It is quick to put in your dog, and it causes minimal discomfort. Simply register the chip ID after it is put in, and your pet will always have his identification with him.

Be a good neighbor and discourage your dog from barking, unless he is alerting you to danger. Most people get used to the sound of their dog yelping, but others find it a constant annoyance. If your dog barks often, consider talking to your vet about what could be causing it and how you can put a stop to it, for everyone's sake.

If you're adopting a dog through a local shelter, try scheduling a vet appointment right away. Dogs that live in shelters may be sick or may have been around other sick dogs. That is why it's important to have a full checkup and a course of vaccinations before you bring your puppy home.

Don't ever give your dog bones. Rawhide limits the danger when your dog is chewing. Rawhide is healthy and good for their teeth, so don't share that T-bone no matter what faces they make.

Take your dog to the vet regularly. This may seem like an added expense that you don't need, but when you take your dog to the veterinarian, he can screen your dog for diseases and make sure he is in the best of health. This of course prevents problems down the road.

When you are trimming your dog's nails, keep a close eye on the tips of the nails. Once you see a pale oval on the tip, stop clipping. This is a sign that you are close to the vein. If you go too far, apply a little bit of styptic powder to it to help stop the bleeding.

Prevent matting on your dogs paws by keeping the area well trimmed. Prior to trimming it, straighten the fur using a comb. Go to a professional groomer if you have a hard time doing this yourself.

Before you have your dog fitted with a microchip, be sure and check the database of the company that will store his information. Not all of them are created equal and you want to know that you'll get a fast response if your dog is lost. Look for a large database that connects to shelters and vets near you.

Schedule a vet appointment for the new dog. In fact, do it the same day as you bring the pet home so you don't forget. Your vet will be able to give a clean bill of health, and appoint a schedule for vaccinations. Also discuss the spaying or neutering process with your vet. This can help to eliminate unwanted animals and keep your dog happy and healthy for a longer period of time.

Exercise is vital when you own a dog. Teach your dog to get your newspaper as well as other things that are useful in your home. They'll feel like a useful family member and the constant reinforced training will maintain their sharp thinking skills.

Always make sure your dog has fresh water available. Water is essential for the health of a dog. He can easily become dehydrated without it or look for unsafe water sources, such as puddles or contaminated ponds. Making sure your dog always has water is an easy way to keep him happy and safe.

If training your dog is more than you can handle, you should consider sending it to obedience school. Do some research to find out more about the different obedience schools in your area and talk to other dog owners to find the best school possible. It is best to send your dog to obedience school while it is still a young pup.

If your dog makes messes in the house or chews when you are away, consider crate training. Crate training involves providing your pet with an appropriate sized crate to,stay in while you're out of the house. It can keep your pet and belongings safe. Just make sure to never leave him in the crate for a very lengthly period of time.

If you have younger children in the home, make sure that you try to teach them what behavior is appropriate with your dog. Let them know the rules and what they are allowed to do. Some dogs are more tolerant of being jumped on, pulled on, and played with than other dogs.

You may think it's okay to share your own snacks with your dog. Certain foods are okay for this, but some foods are not good for dogs. Grapes, chocolate, and caffeine are all things that you should never give your pup. These kinds of foods may have detrimental effects on the animal's health.

You should regularly clean out your pet's food and water dishes. Your dog does not want to eat and drink out of dirty dishes any more than you do. Clean the bowls once a day, and then add new food and water.

Make sure your dog does not have access to any dangerous products. You should keep all your cleaning products on a high shelve and avoid using poison if you are dealing with pest. Check your garage too and put your automotive products on high shelves too. Do not hesitate to keep your dog out of certain rooms if some items are dangerous.

It is great to have a cute little puppy. However, when you consider that your puppy will grow and need the proper care, you need to know the right things to keep your dog well. The tips in this article can help you to do the right things, so that you can both be happy.